Hey Pit Bull - sorry to hear about your 880. That tire was notorious for wearing quicker than it should. Try the ME888 - Metzeler got the mileage thing right the second time around. ~RyanF9
Thanks once again Mr FortNine for helping me choose the best tires for my 2001 Honda Shadow spirit VT-750-dc the D404 are great handling my bike now handles like brand new again its amazing what fades away on worn down tires so thank you again for helping me choose the best for the buck and like my Helmet and gloves the choices are made easier and I do feel much safer knowing the guess work was solved by you guys! So please keep it up and I will spread your name like today at Woods fun center in Georgetown Texas, where the roads never end:)
I've got the Avon Cobra Chrome 180/70 15 on my Vulcan 900 and LOVE them. They really grip the road and feel so nice when I throw it in any corner.. and stylish as well.. only been in the rain once and it was fine.
I've got a Vulcan 900 too, I just had a Shinko 230 Tour Master put on. Also if you're interested, I run a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 group on Facebook, come join us! Pic is of my 2014 900 Clasic (grey/black)
Nice reviews, thanks ! With one exception (Dunlop 21" which was kinda soft and did not lasted much) I had 880s on my VS1400 Intruder. And the bike is not as heavy as Harleys even with lots of stainless custom parts + myself, but has a huge torque, an old school monster engine even compared with bikes with larger displacement. The Metzelers done a perfect job, take them off at about 14-15k miles every time with plenty of life left in them each time ... On the wet they weren't slippery at all IMO even in early spring or late autumn, and at the hard braking on the dry I felt them very safe, in the summer very sticky and again ... very safe. They are hard at touch indeed but on the sides only and pretty shiny too. Brazilian made ones I felt to be better compared to German made (!?), a bit softer which I liked. After about 5 years they show their age on the sides first. I now wonder which one to choose, Michelin, Pirelli or 880s, don't care so much for mileage, I'd like to have the best grip on wet and dry too. Are some of these China made ? I can live with Brasil rubber and German engineering ... Better mileage goes well with better grip? I mean Michelin does it or I must go with Pirelli ? I'd sacrifice a bit from 880s mileage for a slightly better grip. 888s did not convinced me from the online reviews ... THANKS !
I had Michelin XAS tires on my BMW car, a '73 2002 I bought used in '77. The tires lasted until I bought Continentals at 98K miles on the XAS's. Sure they lasted but they were dangerous due to hydroplaning. XAS's wore extremely well but in the circle of users, we always talked about dangerous hydroplaning. That sets up an attitude for life, unfortunately. I was always told that if I wanted sticky grippers then get Pirrellis. Now about my experience with motorcycle tires. I've been riding since 1966 in Cal. Dirt biking. There we didn't pay attention so much to street tires until the power bikes emerged. The kind of power that yanks your rear wheel loose in a curve, the kind of speed that makes you examine the front tire carefully for good breaking. My current bike since 2004 is a Vrod. I have 135K miles on it now. I never do burnouts, holeshots, or wheelies. I'm old, but I like speed. I love grip in wet weather. Most any tire will grip in dry weather unless you are doing questionable things. The tires that came on the Vrod were Dunlops. I have never had a problem with them. So a buddy at the dealer called. He had a Metzler that a customer didn't want after ordering it. I got a deal on a rear Metzler. I had a few thousand on it. One summer I was going through the i95 McHenry Tunnel in Balt and it simply blew out. Yep, explosive release of air. You don't stop in the tunnel. It was just tough enough to continue riding for 10 miles at 25mph to get to a Harley dealer where I left it for a new tire. Dunlop. Metzler is good for lightweight racing in my opinion, with less resistance to changing centrifugal inertia/acceleration. A note that will stay with me for life. Before the Metz blew out I had a nail hole to plug in it. I don't care what you might think, I have plugged my tires at least 10 times and have driven the plugs to tire baldness with no issues on all of the plugs, except, the Metzler. When you plug tires you ream it first to exaggerate the hole to receive the plug. But the Metzler did not fail anywhere near the plug. However, I remember when I prepared to ream the tire, I positioned/brace myself to feel the significant resistance the tire usually gives in inserting the reamer. It went in the Metz like butter. So easy compared to the Dunlops. I was astonished at the thinness, the fragility of that tire. No wonder it blew out. It was just too lightweight. I believe there is steel in the Dunlop. Tough tires. So maybe today tire companies have resolved all these issues. But I just bought another Dunlop front tire. My front tires get about 20K wear, rear about 8-12K. I suppose it depends upon weather, heat, and such things. I have traveled at 80mph for most of the 130K miles. Interstate mostly. So that means on this Vrod I have worn out over 6 front tires and 16 rear tires. The only tire-related fear I had was in dry weather. I was on a gentle curve on DC's outer beltway loop. Trees were close to the roadway and thick creating a good windbreak. As I rounded the corner from under the Metro overpass the trees stopped and the wind suddenly pushed me to slide sideways about 8 inches, abruptly. You know that adrenalin poisoning. The thought I had about that was why tire guys tell you to use the same tires in front as the rear. It was a symmetrical slide. Even and smooth. This means no wobbling or oscillation happened to lay me down on a curve then to face the 16-inch high galvanized guard rail vertical supports. In 1970 I entered a death wobble on my 1970 Kaw Mach 1 in Iowa. You know those nylon swingarm bushings. While merging from one interstate to another, on the onramp curve I leaned wobbling under a semi-trailer. While in that wobble and helpless, my shoulder in the lean came a few inches from the trailer bottom. A slip at that point and I would have gone under the rear trailer chassis. Both of us were doing at least 70 mph. I was dumb. I don't think the trucker ever saw it happen. I put 14K miles on that Jap 2 stroke 3 cyl bike going across the USA and back, DC to Cal. What fun it was. When I got back a guy on a Norton 750 Commando found me. He wanted to race. Remember this was 1970 and he had a reputation of being the fastest. But this Kaw was on the street now. It was the fasted bike out of the crate to date. So he was looking for me. There is a wide residential street, pretty straight, in Annandale Va, near where he found me. It was a Sat morn and not much traffic. So we blasted down the street. I beat him nicely. But when we got stopped he said he missed a gear, that's why I beat him. Well, I felt sympathy and we went again going back the other way. This time I remember a homeowner walking out on the street shaking a rake at us LOL. Today that would be me, but with a weedwhacker.
I used the D404 on my Yamaha V Star and they would not last 1 year. I recommend the ME888s they're solid, have longe lasting miles. Ride hard and ride fast! 👍
My Harley came with the Dunlops front and rear. I got about 11,000 miles on the rear and maybe 20,000 on the front. My problem was when they took it off the tread was so thin I could push it in with my finger. There was almost nothing left but no threads were showing. To be fair, it WAS down a bit below the wear bars. But it was so thin I fear a sharp stone could have punctured it.
I just replaced Avon Cobras F/R with Michelin commander 2 F/R on my Road King. Tried Metzler 880's before the Avons. The Michelin Commander 2 is by far the better tire of them all! BETTER IN RAIN! BETTER ON ASPHALT! BETTER ON HIGHWAY! JUST A BETTER TIRE. BETTER THAN THE HD TIRES ON ORIGINALLY. Sorry about the caps, too busy to retype.
I got a good deal on a Suzuki C50. First thing I did was put on a pair of Michelin Commander 2's. I learned from years ago a quality tire makes a world of difference. Example, I got s GS750 and after a rain with somewhat wet pavement it felt "squirrely" . After putting on Dunlop Elites for a long trip we got caught in a moderate rain and bike felt solid to the road on an interstate.
I just put 26,223 miles (42,201 km) on a set of Michelin Commander II. I should of replaced them a lot earlier as I did have some cord showing. Very pleased with the mileage, wet weather handling and wear and I will not over extend the mileage on my new set.
Michillin Scorcher has been the choice on my Harley for me. I've had demo bike when my vrod was being serviced, but they never performed as well. They look cool, and are amazing in both wet and dry. Though a bit more expensive, I'd not have ridden otherwise.
Thanks Ryan,I have a 2001 wideglide on which I've run a few sets of me880s which gave great mileage then switched to commander11s which don't last as long,especially on the front but they are way stickier and suit my bike and riding style.
I also found the Commander 2 would break loose on wet pavement. I ran several ME880s on the rear and routinely got 8-10K miles out of them. They were great for cornering and never broke loose in rain. Avon Venoms and now the Cobras are great for grip and really stick the best in corners but, if you are lucky, you might get 6K miles out of one on the rear. I will eventually try a ME888 on the rear but haven't yet. I also have considered the Pirelli. I ride HD baggers by the way, combined total of 250K miles on three different bikes, two of which I still have so I have some experience with most of these tires. Good review. Thanks.
Thanks for mentioning small vintage cruisers. Not everybody is riding a big fat Harley-Davidson or Goldwing with luggage for a week of cruising. I just ordered the Dunlop D404 for my 1983 KZ550 LTD. By the way, the bike is Canadian and I'm riding in Miami. I still haven't figured out how it got there ;o)
Curious why you did not review the Dunlop american elites. I have had the commander II and although it is a good tire, it does not fare well in cooler, wet or rainy conditions. it does tend to slip in turns. I have a 2012 HD ultra classic and went from the commanders to the elites. I am currently at 19,000 Miles and they still handle great, and are much better cornering in damp and rainy conditions. I am a full time commuter in and out of DC every day, and in DC/Maryland weather, the elites perform better for me. just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. thanks for the reviews.
I have put the 404 on my 70’s and 80’ metric bikes. Pulled night dragon off the scout cause Pat 65mph it was hunting. Balance was fine but putting commander III on the bike cured the hunting. Not a wobble but a random sis to side motion. All good now with the Commander III. At non highway speeds there were no issues with the Night Dragons though,
@@alm4132 I liked the Bridgestone battlax BT45 (BT46 slight upgrade) I cheaped out and bought a set of Kenda 671 and it was night & day difference..The kenda's front tire tracked worse in wet & dry due to the center line groove. The Battlax has a staggered center groove so you get the benefit of a center groove without the tracking.Plus the rear tire has dual compound soft on the sides & hard in the center...The Kenda 671's are ok for normal riding on dry summer roads but sucks to get caught in the rain. With the Battlax bt45's on I could ride my middle weight cruiser around almost like a sport bike.
I have a 2004 Honda VTX 1300s (340 KG bike, bags and fuel tank filled)...With a Dunlop D404 on the rear I could only get 16,000 KMs out of it. I then put on the Michelin Commander 11...I have got almost 33,000 KMs on it now, and will probably get another 10,000 out of it. I am so pleased with this tire.
Well, he DID say that the D404 is NOT meant for a heavy bike....as does the manufacturer. So, perhaps you should actually watch and listen to the review before you start insulting the reviewer....bad form. You should also pay more attention to the manufacturer's recommendations and the tire specs.
@@patrickneyman6739 I did not insult anyone..I only told the truth. Every 1300 VTX I have ever saw has the Dunlop 404s on them, and the VTX riders I ride with buy the Dunlop 404s because that is what is recommended for the bike. If you look it up, the 404 is recommended for bikes up to 830 pounds. A VTX weighs in at 640 pounds.
I put MC II's on my last bike and loved them Put a set on my 900 and they have 18k and rear looks new and I do push my tires. I got a smoking deal on a MC III for my front and it had another season but coming up on 5 yrs so replaced it and the MC III is amazing! I also did it because my 900 Custom is a 80/90/21 and I want the best for my front tire.. The III has a better prifle too..
I put 16K miles in the U.S. South East on a set of Commander II's. The set was on an 07 Dyna Wide Glide, but I did do some mods on it and ran the Tail of the Dragon and several of the twisty knockoff type loops. I put 46K miles on the bike before selling it and getting a 17 Street Glide Special. I know, but I'm 65 and I carry a ton of crap in the bags and t-Bag on long trips several times a year. Your Littre sport bike would have me in traction, and the BMW I wanted was just a bit to expensive with the add ons.....The Commander II's will go on my SGS and I did replace them on the Dyna when I sold it...Rubber side down...
thanks for the info on the ME 888 Ultra Marrithon. I currently have one on my bike that is now 5 years old I road 27000 miles on it and due to the tires year of manufacturing I am having it replace with a new ME 888. I hope this one won't chop or tread split.
I had the Dunlop 404 on my Scout and I got 21k miles on my rear tire. Honestly I don’t recommend going that far as it was pretty bald in the middle. I just put on two Commander 2 so far they have performed very good. Like he said in the video a Dunlop on light weight cruisers will last a good while. Probably around 15k miles.
Commander 2!!! Best tire in the world. I have over 25,000 on the back of a BMW K1200LT. Amazing. Smooth and grippy. I'll never try anything else. It's perfect. I wish they made it in a size for my front wheel.
I have a 2011 Road King Classic and I run the Cobra AV white walls, totally transforms the bike compared to the standard Dunlops, the bike actually corners, doesn't tramline and with the softer sidewalls, it even rides a little better. Got 16,000 kilometres out of my Dunlop rear and 22,000 out of my steer tyre, will be interesting to see how the Avon's do.
I found your channel tonight and I really like your reviews. You seem to put a lot of thought into them and sound like you have a lot of knowledge. You also verified my own research and the ME888. I watched a few of your other reviews on helmets as well. Keep up the great work and thanks.
Excellent! I am glad to hear it. My tire went soft over the winter so I was looking into my options. So far my current tires are looking good. But once they wear down I will be replacing with the 888s.
I just put Cobras on my Victory Hammer and I love them! They feel so much better than the marathon ultras it had on it before. (Although I'm not sure how much of that is just going from old tires to new tires, regardless of the type and also going from a rear tire that's a size too wide to one that's the stock size.)
FYI, when the D404 get to it's half life be careful while passing on two lane because the center yellow lines you will loose traction "wheel spin". Boulevard C90.
Thank you so much for that!! I bought my first cruiser (intruder vs800) with the d404 on it and thought my suspension was set up terribly or something.
@@claytonatkinson865 Your welcome. You have a Light cruiser, I know Kenda Cruz I have on front great tire. Always predictable. Back using Goodyear Triple Tread, car tire. Don't use Bridgestones because of dual compound of the front will become spongy and unpredictable when pushed. I used Kenda Changller on Virago and not great when temp below 10c, traction loss. Had a mechanic friend swear by Mitzler. For me I would try Kenda Cruz front and back. Say safe and you have a great bike.
Im a Michelin fan but ever own commanders again. I ride for a living, and had them put on bike. Could not get them off fast enough. I use Avon cobras now and am very happy. 5-6k then they are trash, but that is very very hard riding.
The dunlops crack follows grooves. I laid my first Harley down on a passing road when a driver went into my lane and didn’t see me. I went on the centerline to avoid being hit and the tire hugged the groove in the center of the road like a rail car. I lowsided and totaled my bike when I attempted to get off the track. I know Low experience and an idiot that didn’t see me was a factor. But the tread was the straw that broke my Dyna.
I hate interstate rides on my intruder vs800 for that very reason, I was wondering if it was the bike or the tire seeing how it had the 404 on when I got it but now I think I know.
My Honda Rebel 500 came with Dunlop 404's on it. I hated those tyres, unpredictable in the dry and terrible in the wet, plus they wore out after 4,100 miles. I installed commander 2's and have 2,000 miles on them, they are great in the dry, decent in the wet and the rear has worn by about 0.25mm in 2,000 miles, and the front wear is not measurable at all.
Seth D I had a Storm on the rear before this set and I burned it off in one season, wasn't happy with them at all. Too soft. I have about 4000km on the commander's and almost no sign of wear yet.
I fully agree with your opinion on the Michelin. I switched to the Commander from the factory Dunlop on my FatBoy and it was a great move. You said nothing about the Dunlop American Elite though. Any opinion on these tires, especially taking into account they are probably the only double compound cruiser tire and also come in whitewall for all those classic bike owners?
I like the American Elites. In my opinion the new Dunlop Elite 4 is a superior tire (grip, longevity) and also uses a double compound design. But yeah, it doesn't come in whitewall and some HD sizes, so it won't be an option for everybody! ~RyanF9
i have a 2000 kawasaki vn1500 fi vulcan nomad and i run the dunlop 404 as i've found them to be a great all round tyre. I ride a lot, in all kinds of conditions such as cyclonic conds, high temps, winter, plus on all surfaces and these tyres have been extremely good handling and they last a long time...front gets about 23,000km and the rear around 16 to 18,000km...oh and i ride solo as well as 2 up and also heavily loaded and unloaded
I actually get better mileage out of night dragons than I did out of commander II's. And the grip is FAR better! The commander II's are only good for pounding miles in a straight line, but they're actually too hard and wear quick of you take off quick and ride hard. I've got a 2014 street bob and scrape pegs...
I kill the commander’s pretty fast on my bagger, was considering the night dragons, since if I’m gonna go through two rear tires a season I’d at least like to get a little grip.
I have a triumph bobber 2017. Tyres need a change. Looking to availability of tyres in India. Mischellin scorcher 31 or Metzellar ME880 whitewall. I am looking more stability, road grip and aggression. Suggest.....
Only issue with the commander is that when I worked at a Harley dealer almost everyone that came in the tires were cupped and needed replaced, new they handle good and feel nice…. Haven’t personally seen one get over 8k
Dunlop 401T, or Dunlop American Elite for Harley touring, NOT the D404. My "Damn good reason for choosing them over the Michelin commander II" is that these are the tires used by all of the Police motorcycle enforcement officers. They last longer on the heavier bikes, and handle much better when going through the more aggressive low speed manuevers, and the high speed obstacle avoidance courses. Ask anyone who competes or patrols, these are the tires they will very likely be running. Dunlop worked with Dunlop for years to get the big touring bike tires right. Nothing wrong with the Commander II, they just don't handle as well in the rain on these big bikes as the Dunlops which were purpose built for the large tourers. If you have a "light weight" Harley such as a Dyna, Softail, or Sportster I honestly would stick with Harley's Scorcher series of tires. They are in fact Michelin tires. They have a deeper tread for added longevity, and Michelin worked on this tires design with Harley for years to get it right on these lighter bikes. Again the Commander II is still not a bad option. The Pirelli Night dragons are by far the worst tire I have ever personally used. I had them on a 2007 Vulcan VN900C for about 5k miles before I finally called it quits with them. They had traction issues on dry pavement, let alone wet, and were almost completely worn out after 5k miles. I am NOT an aggressive driver, I don't do burnouts either. The tires just suck.
Hello Ryan, I have a 2008 Dyna CVO with the 124 Race engine installed. I don't ride often (less than 8000 miles on a 8 year old bike) but when I do I ride really hard and fast. Lots of long pulls through the mountains of Montana, Idaho and Washington at 80 90 sometimes 100mph. I don't care about milage, I want the best handing grippiest tires I can get. The bike has the stock Dunlops and they still ok but I don't trust them due to age. The front is getting some small cracks. Michelin???? I have had a few sets of Avon's on my CVO Ultra and they make the bike handle remarkably better than the HD Dunlops. Thanks Cam
Have a 2008 1200 Nightster it's my wife's bike but I do ride it need something with longevity to put lots of miles on we live in Florida but we also hit the mountains a lot so can't skimp on the cornering any suggestions Also safety is a must again it's my wife's bike don't want her getting hurt over tires
Ryan, thanks for doing a tire review for large cruisers although I know you’re probably not a big fan of my HD Electra Ultra LOL This is exactly what I was looking for, I just ordered my two commanders from FortNine. I am on my second set of Avon Cobra and I absolutely love the way they handle but I will try something else since I’ve had rubber splitting issues from the thread and sidewalls. PS I like your Canadian map in the background 👍🏻
I have the Metzler on my softail heritage. I’m absolutely terrified to corner or ride on a wet road with them. It even slides, sometimes downshifting. I have the Dunlops on my sportster. I can drag the pegs while cornering, and not be scared about losing grip at all. I’ve rode that sportster in like 6 inches of water, massive thunderstorms, with zero slip of grip at all. Those Dunlops grab the road like a bear claw. I’m actually watching videos right now because I want to know what to put on my heritage. I’m looking for some good reviews.
The D404 I had put on my 1983 Honda Shadow vt500c. This bike is shy of 500lbs (225kg) and I drive it extremely hard and fast. The tires are phenomenal, and spectacular in the rain. HOWEVER; I need to say that mileage is terrible. I want to say perhaps 5,000 miles (8 km) was the lifespan through two sets of tires. The rears wore out fast, wearing down quickly in the middle of the tire, making flicking the bike dangerous later in the tire life. They are great tires, however, you will burn them up fast. Perhaps the front not as quickly, but similar to the rear.
I live in Ireland, and ride a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I was looking into the Commander II and almost went for it based on the mileage, but after a bit of research, I heard that it wasn't all that great in wet weather. Now, I live in Ireland. It's not particularly dry here, so I didn't want to take the chance. The tire I had previously was a Avon Venom, and it was great in all conditions, and I heard the Cobra was just as good, so I went with it (also because my Venom was a 200, whereas Michelin only did a 180) and the tire just sticks to the road like glue
cooper1101 the grip is very good, haven't felt it slip yet. Mileage seems good too, I've put at least 2500-3000 miles on it and it still looks fresh. Wet weather, haven't had it out in severe wet weather, but on days where it has rained earlier, or where I'm caught in a small downpour, it's did very well
I had commander II on my vulcan 900. I did drive in ringa at twist toads as well as highways, never had a problem or felt unsecure. I higly recommend them. 🙂
Commander II are brilliant if you only ride in dry weather. However, worst wet weather tire I have ever ridden. I have had a set for 18 months on my virago xv1100 and have done 15,000 KMs of commuting in peak hour traffic and they still look new... good at both low and high speeds and i expect i will get these up to 40,000 KM no problem. In the wet be prepared to slip and slid everywhere as they will break traction the moment you put any pressure on them....a tire that gives you absurd mileage like this one is never going to have the soft rubber compound to keep you gripped to the road in the wet. If you're a committed fair weather rider highly recommend. If you want an all weather tire stay away.
I got 11k miles out of my rear 888, mostly highway miles but aggressive full throttle riding 25% of the time. I probably could have gotten more miles out of it if I rode more conservatively but these tires do last long.
What would you get for a 2008 V Rod, I don't care about treadwear, I just wanted to be extra sticky and to turn into the corners a little better than the stock tires. My bike has a 240 on the rear end and a 130 on the front.
The Commanders are the better tire. But what sizes are you running? Sometimes the only way to throw Commanders onto a bike is to mate a bias front with a radial rear, and I definitely wouldn't recommend doing that. ~RyanF9
I’d like to see a newer cruiser tire review, the Bridgestone Battlecruise, the Avon Cobra Chrome, the Michelin Scorcher II (not that new but not reviewed here)
I'd stick with the E4s. Normally I'm partial to the Michelin Commander IIs but people have noticed that they're a bit unstable on the Vision, for whatever reason. ~RyanF9
I have used the old Avon venom and the cobra and they work great and handle brilliantly on small to heavy cruisers.I do however think you've missed a really great tire from this and that's the continental tyre range .
hey ryan , i ride a new triumph speedmaster with stock metzelers marathons, in belgium most of the time we have wet roads, the mettz realy dont make me feel confident ,verry slippery.(two times face on the ground) what is your best suggestion to chang them to? thanks guy
Hello! Yeah, a lot of people notice the Metzelers are too hard. Makes them feel "plasticky" on wet pavement. I'd probably choose the Michelin Commander II or Avon Cobra. Both tires are equally good on wet pavement, in my opinion. The Cobra has slightly better dry grip and the Commander lasts longer. Up to you. ~RyanF9
Thanks for the quick reply , commanders or avons,looked it up and indeed most speedy drivers feel confident. I will choose grip every time before mileage. I only got one life ;)
I love the me888 on my Yamaha warrior 1700. It hooks really well in corners. My ONLY complaint with them is. How they hold heat, they dont very well. They take time to heat up and dont hold it very well. But if you can deal with the heat issue. THey are fantastic.
@@WatanabeNoTsuna. They were fine in the rain, I wouldnt push them as hard as you can the m7rr/m9rr versions. But they are fine as long as you can keep heat in them. Which is harder to do when its raining.
Great review. Ive got a 2008 HD Rocker C with worn out Dunlop D407. The Commander sounds best but im not worried about tire life and just want the best performing tyre as my other bikes a VFR1200. Should I go for the Avon AV72
I have a 2013 C90T BOSS and was told Metzeler 880 was the best tire. It's a 200/60 16 R 79H and I got 4,000 miles on it and it's done. What do you think I should go with?
I was think about getting a 2018 Fat Bob, changing out the tires would be the first thing I would do. What do you recommend...? I'm not a canyon carving but I do like my on & off ramps & wide open straight a ways here in the north east of the US. Thanks great review So I went ahead & pulled the trigger bought the 2018 FATBOB need you opinion thanks again
Well I have ordered the Avon Cobra AV72 for the rear of my ‘13 Fat Bob. The stock Dunlop’s were good but did slip and track on some of these shit Aussie roads - highways 😲. In the wet they were surprisingly good (or should I say better than expected) considering what I had read about them. Tyres are so important- car, 4WD or bike so I take a long time to choose. I trust the Cobra is going to stick in dry or wet as I have read heaps that rate them for a Fat Bob. I went with the same dimensions as the stock Dunlop’s (was close to going from 180 to 200 tho). Will post how they perform....next week fingers crossed.
samuraidarryl looking into buying the Cobras. Any insight with an update on how the tires perform, especially in wet weather and mileage and how they ride in general?
Gr8 Vid Fort9! Have you done any homework on the Michelin Scorcher 11, 31 ad 32 tires? Looking for some performance and tread life info on them espesially living in Canada it gets a bit cold here and have heard they are no good in cold temps and or cold pavement. Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
A damn good reason not to get Michelin Commander 2? They don't make White Walls for the HD FLHRC A tire you didn't mention is the Dunlop American Elite which is even higher mileage than the D402, which is already easily capable of 20 - 30K.
I have a Harley dyna and I have the original Dunlop D401 harley branded tires they come with and the tire wore out on the center quite fast. I have less than 5,000 miles on it and the center is already worn. Any other choice that you may suggest?
It's almost time for tires for my CTX1300. I'm curious what the change is with the new Avon Cobra Chrome. I'm in Florida so I ride all year long. I like the Michelins but they don't come in the proper size for my bike.
hey any feedback about the new bridgstone battle cruise? I have a fat boy and have not been impressed with the wear of performance of the factory dunlops.
I purchased a 2013 Honda shadow phantom and I’m looking into the commander 2 or the Bridgestone exedra max or the Shinko 777. Which one would you recommend?
I have been using Dunlap tires since about 1992 on my Harley's with no issues they been great. I just bought a set of Shinko tires because I am retired and money isn't what it use to be and I am a cheap bastard. I wasn't worried until I took them to Harley to be mounted and they almost refused to do it. Now i am worried but I don't go far or fast these days and my wife don't ride with me anymore. I guess I will see.
hi like ur videos , ive been looking at the dark side & plan to give it a go . Ive got a 07 nite rod special 1250cc , & i have just brought a 245/40/18 nankang semi slick ns - 2r sport nex street car tyre ,so once my tyre has worne a bit more on it goes , what do u think ?
Hi Ryan Great informational video. What would you recommend for a 2007 Softail Deuce? I use it mainly long highway riding. I currently have a set of Shinko about 4 months old/ Took a ride from ABQ to Modesto on to Santa Cruz and back. They performed well on the trip Heading out to Houston from ABQ in November. RL
Hey man like the video! I have a 2015 dyna FXDWG and i have night dragons on it now but they only lasted me about 5 thousand miles and I’m replacing them now. I’m thinking about going with the 888 but I ride hard so what is ur opinion? Do I think the 888 hold well in the turns or are they just Not sticky enough? Night Dragons or 888?? Any help is much appreciated
Really good and informative summary. I've got Cobras on my Thunderbird and notice a minor front end shimmy at low speeds. Could it be caused by the pronounced left/right groove pattern on the tyres? Other than that the tyre handles really well and (as you say) looks great.
Hey buddy just found your channel and enjoying your vids. I just got my first road bike. 86 Honda Magna v65 vf1100c. Trying to research which tire will suit it best since it's a very quick bike but is a cruiser. Regarding this vid would the Avon be the best choice? I'm not a super aggressive rider but with my Endo racing background, I know how to haul ass if I want.
Hey buddy! Yep, I'd go with Avons if you're planning to haul ass on that Magna. Congrats on getting into road riding by the way... you'll have a big head start with all that off-road experience. ~RF9
Thanks for the quick response! Looks like my size isn't there or at least I can't find it. F 110/90/18 R 140-80-16. If it's not available, what would be your second choice for this bike? Thanks again
Product links and video timestamps:
0:10 - Michelin Commander II: frt9.co/piuts5
1:41 - ME 888 Marathon Ultra: frt9.co/kfjt85
3:20 - Pirelli Night Dragon: frt9.co/zaee9y
4:35 - Dunlop D404: frt9.co/bl096v
6:30 - Avon AV72 Cobra: frt9.co/rc12k4
@KR P )
Hey Pit Bull - sorry to hear about your 880. That tire was notorious for wearing quicker than it should. Try the ME888 - Metzeler got the mileage thing right the second time around. ~RyanF9
Thanks once again Mr FortNine for helping me choose the best tires for my 2001 Honda Shadow spirit VT-750-dc the D404 are great handling my bike now handles like brand new again its amazing what fades away on worn down tires so thank you again for helping me choose the best for the buck and like my Helmet and gloves the choices are made easier and I do feel much safer knowing the guess work was solved by you guys! So please keep it up and I will spread your name like today at Woods fun center in Georgetown Texas, where the roads never end:)
There's a vibration in the front when i accelerate my '06 vt1100 14k miles - you think might be the tire?
just put a set of commander 2 tires on my street glide. best ride ever. they rock! thanks Ryan.
I've had good luck with the ME 888 when it is warm it sticks to the road and corners very well.
I've got the Avon Cobra Chrome 180/70 15 on my Vulcan 900 and LOVE them. They really grip the road and feel so nice when I throw it in any corner.. and stylish as well.. only been in the rain once and it was fine.
I've got a Vulcan 900 too, I just had a Shinko 230 Tour Master put on. Also if you're interested, I run a Kawasaki Vulcan 900 group on Facebook, come join us! Pic is of my 2014 900 Clasic (grey/black)
Nice reviews, thanks ! With one exception (Dunlop 21" which was kinda soft and did not lasted much) I had 880s on my VS1400 Intruder. And the bike is not as heavy as Harleys even with lots of stainless custom parts + myself, but has a huge torque, an old school monster engine even compared with bikes with larger displacement. The Metzelers done a perfect job, take them off at about 14-15k miles every time with plenty of life left in them each time ... On the wet they weren't slippery at all IMO even in early spring or late autumn, and at the hard braking on the dry I felt them very safe, in the summer very sticky and again ... very safe. They are hard at touch indeed but on the sides only and pretty shiny too. Brazilian made ones I felt to be better compared to German made (!?), a bit softer which I liked. After about 5 years they show their age on the sides first. I now wonder which one to choose, Michelin, Pirelli or 880s, don't care so much for mileage, I'd like to have the best grip on wet and dry too. Are some of these China made ? I can live with Brasil rubber and German engineering ... Better mileage goes well with better grip? I mean Michelin does it or I must go with Pirelli ? I'd sacrifice a bit from 880s mileage for a slightly better grip. 888s did not convinced me from the online reviews ... THANKS !
Your reviews are the best, guys!
I had Michelin XAS tires on my BMW car, a '73 2002 I bought used in '77. The tires lasted until I bought Continentals at 98K miles on the XAS's. Sure they lasted but they were dangerous due to hydroplaning. XAS's wore extremely well but in the circle of users, we always talked about dangerous hydroplaning. That sets up an attitude for life, unfortunately. I was always told that if I wanted sticky grippers then get Pirrellis.
Now about my experience with motorcycle tires. I've been riding since 1966 in Cal. Dirt biking. There we didn't pay attention so much to street tires until the power bikes emerged. The kind of power that yanks your rear wheel loose in a curve, the kind of speed that makes you examine the front tire carefully for good breaking.
My current bike since 2004 is a Vrod. I have 135K miles on it now. I never do burnouts, holeshots, or wheelies. I'm old, but I like speed. I love grip in wet weather. Most any tire will grip in dry weather unless you are doing questionable things.
The tires that came on the Vrod were Dunlops. I have never had a problem with them. So a buddy at the dealer called. He had a Metzler that a customer didn't want after ordering it. I got a deal on a rear Metzler. I had a few thousand on it. One summer I was going through the i95 McHenry Tunnel in Balt and it simply blew out. Yep, explosive release of air. You don't stop in the tunnel. It was just tough enough to continue riding for 10 miles at 25mph to get to a Harley dealer where I left it for a new tire. Dunlop. Metzler is good for lightweight racing in my opinion, with less resistance to changing centrifugal inertia/acceleration.
A note that will stay with me for life. Before the Metz blew out I had a nail hole to plug in it. I don't care what you might think, I have plugged my tires at least 10 times and have driven the plugs to tire baldness with no issues on all of the plugs, except, the Metzler.
When you plug tires you ream it first to exaggerate the hole to receive the plug.
But the Metzler did not fail anywhere near the plug. However, I remember when I prepared to ream the tire, I positioned/brace myself to feel the significant resistance the tire usually gives in inserting the reamer. It went in the Metz like butter. So easy compared to the Dunlops. I was astonished at the thinness, the fragility of that tire. No wonder it blew out. It was just too lightweight. I believe there is steel in the Dunlop. Tough tires.
So maybe today tire companies have resolved all these issues. But I just bought another Dunlop front tire.
My front tires get about 20K wear, rear about 8-12K. I suppose it depends upon weather, heat, and such things. I have traveled at 80mph for most of the 130K miles. Interstate mostly. So that means on this Vrod I have worn out over 6 front tires and 16 rear tires.
The only tire-related fear I had was in dry weather. I was on a gentle curve on DC's outer beltway loop. Trees were close to the roadway and thick creating a good windbreak. As I rounded the corner from under the Metro overpass the trees stopped and the wind suddenly pushed me to slide sideways about 8 inches, abruptly. You know that adrenalin poisoning. The thought I had about that was why tire guys tell you to use the same tires in front as the rear. It was a symmetrical slide. Even and smooth. This means no wobbling or oscillation happened to lay me down on a curve then to face the 16-inch high galvanized guard rail vertical supports.
In 1970 I entered a death wobble on my 1970 Kaw Mach 1 in Iowa. You know those nylon swingarm bushings. While merging from one interstate to another, on the onramp curve I leaned wobbling under a semi-trailer. While in that wobble and helpless, my shoulder in the lean came a few inches from the trailer bottom. A slip at that point and I would have gone under the rear trailer chassis. Both of us were doing at least 70 mph. I was dumb. I don't think the trucker ever saw it happen. I put 14K miles on that Jap 2 stroke 3 cyl bike going across the USA and back, DC to Cal. What fun it was. When I got back a guy on a Norton 750 Commando found me. He wanted to race. Remember this was 1970 and he had a reputation of being the fastest. But this Kaw was on the street now. It was the fasted bike out of the crate to date. So he was looking for me. There is a wide residential street, pretty straight, in Annandale Va, near where he found me. It was a Sat morn and not much traffic. So we blasted down the street. I beat him nicely. But when we got stopped he said he missed a gear, that's why I beat him. Well, I felt sympathy and we went again going back the other way. This time I remember a homeowner walking out on the street shaking a rake at us LOL. Today that would be me, but with a weedwhacker.
I found the Commanders 2s to be a little slippery in the rain on my Road King. I enjoyed your review, thank you
All tires are a little slippery in the rain on the back of a road king. Mine was a 17 and it was sketchy in the rain.
Sadly same except mine is dangerous slick in the rain it's nothing to get sideways
The commander 3 have fixed this problem and retained the long mileage ability.
I got the Commander 3 on my Road King and it's working out well
I used the D404 on my Yamaha V Star and they would not last 1 year. I recommend the ME888s they're solid, have longe lasting miles. Ride hard and ride fast! 👍
My Harley came with the Dunlops front and rear. I got about 11,000 miles on the rear and maybe 20,000 on the front. My problem was when they took it off the tread was so thin I could push it in with my finger. There was almost nothing left but no threads were showing. To be fair, it WAS down a bit below the wear bars. But it was so thin I fear a sharp stone could have punctured it.
I just replaced Avon Cobras F/R with Michelin commander 2 F/R on my Road King. Tried Metzler 880's before the Avons. The Michelin Commander 2 is by far the better tire of them all! BETTER IN RAIN! BETTER ON ASPHALT! BETTER ON HIGHWAY! JUST A BETTER TIRE. BETTER THAN THE HD TIRES ON ORIGINALLY. Sorry about the caps, too busy to retype.
I got a good deal on a Suzuki C50.
First thing I did was put on a pair of Michelin Commander 2's.
I learned from years ago a quality tire makes a world of difference.
Example, I got s GS750 and after a rain with somewhat wet pavement it felt "squirrely" . After putting on Dunlop Elites for a long trip we got caught in a moderate rain and bike felt solid to the road on an interstate.
I just put 26,223 miles (42,201 km) on a set of Michelin Commander II. I should of replaced them a lot earlier as I did have some cord showing. Very pleased with the mileage, wet weather handling and wear and I will not over extend the mileage on my new set.
Michillin Scorcher has been the choice on my Harley for me. I've had demo bike when my vrod was being serviced, but they never performed as well. They look cool, and are amazing in both wet and dry. Though a bit more expensive, I'd not have ridden otherwise.
Thanks Ryan,I have a 2001 wideglide on which I've run a few sets of me880s which gave great mileage then switched to commander11s which don't last as long,especially on the front but they are way stickier and suit my bike and riding style.
I also found the Commander 2 would break loose on wet pavement. I ran several ME880s on the rear and routinely got 8-10K miles out of them. They were great for cornering and never broke loose in rain. Avon Venoms and now the Cobras are great for grip and really stick the best in corners but, if you are lucky, you might get 6K miles out of one on the rear. I will eventually try a ME888 on the rear but haven't yet. I also have considered the Pirelli. I ride HD baggers by the way, combined total of 250K miles on three different bikes, two of which I still have so I have some experience with most of these tires. Good review. Thanks.
My 880 suck in the wet.
On a Honda Magna you'll do 3rd gear burnouts all day
Best tire I ever had. Over double the mileage of the Metz 880 on my K1200LT. No front tire in my size so i had to put on a 888.
Thanks for mentioning small vintage cruisers. Not everybody is riding a big fat Harley-Davidson or Goldwing with luggage for a week of cruising.
I just ordered the Dunlop D404 for my 1983 KZ550 LTD. By the way, the bike is Canadian and I'm riding in Miami. I still haven't figured out how it got there ;o)
Curious why you did not review the Dunlop american elites. I have had the commander II and although it is a good tire, it does not fare well in cooler, wet or rainy conditions. it does tend to slip in turns. I have a 2012 HD ultra classic and went from the commanders to the elites. I am currently at 19,000 Miles and they still handle great, and are much better cornering in damp and rainy conditions. I am a full time commuter in and out of DC every day, and in DC/Maryland weather, the elites perform better for me. just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. thanks for the reviews.
I have put the 404 on my 70’s and 80’ metric bikes. Pulled night dragon off the scout cause Pat 65mph it was hunting. Balance was fine but putting commander III on the bike cured the hunting. Not a wobble but a random sis to side motion. All good now with the Commander III. At non highway speeds there were no issues with the Night Dragons though,
Will ya do an update on Best tires 2020 or 2021!
Metzeler CruiseTec...... You're welcome.
@@alm4132 I liked the Bridgestone battlax BT45 (BT46 slight upgrade) I cheaped out and bought a set of Kenda 671 and it was night & day difference..The kenda's front tire tracked worse in wet & dry due to the center line groove. The Battlax has a staggered center groove so you get the benefit of a center groove without the tracking.Plus the rear tire has dual compound soft on the sides & hard in the center...The Kenda 671's are ok for normal riding on dry summer roads but sucks to get caught in the rain. With the Battlax bt45's on I could ride my middle weight cruiser around almost like a sport bike.
I've seen nothing but good about the Cobra Chrome from Avon
I have a 2004 Honda VTX 1300s (340 KG bike, bags and fuel tank filled)...With a Dunlop D404 on the rear I could only get 16,000 KMs out of it. I then put on the Michelin Commander 11...I have got almost 33,000 KMs on it now, and will probably get another 10,000 out of it. I am so pleased with this tire.
Well, he DID say that the D404 is NOT meant for a heavy bike....as does the manufacturer. So, perhaps you should actually watch and listen to the review before you start insulting the reviewer....bad form. You should also pay more attention to the manufacturer's recommendations and the tire specs.
@@patrickneyman6739 I did not insult anyone..I only told the truth. Every 1300 VTX I have ever saw has the Dunlop 404s on them, and the VTX riders I ride with buy the Dunlop 404s because that is what is recommended for the bike. If you look it up, the 404 is recommended for bikes up to 830 pounds. A VTX weighs in at 640 pounds.
I put MC II's on my last bike and loved them Put a set on my 900 and they have 18k and rear looks new and I do push my tires. I got a smoking deal on a MC III for my front and it had another season but coming up on 5 yrs so replaced it and the MC III is amazing! I also did it because my 900 Custom is a 80/90/21 and I want the best for my front tire.. The III has a better prifle too..
I put 16K miles in the U.S. South East on a set of Commander II's. The set was on an 07 Dyna Wide Glide, but I did do some mods on it and ran the Tail of the Dragon and several of the twisty knockoff type loops. I put 46K miles on the bike before selling it and getting a 17 Street Glide Special. I know, but I'm 65 and I carry a ton of crap in the bags and t-Bag on long trips several times a year. Your Littre sport bike would have me in traction, and the BMW I wanted was just a bit to expensive with the add ons.....The Commander II's will go on my SGS and I did replace them on the Dyna when I sold it...Rubber side down...
thanks for the info on the ME 888 Ultra Marrithon. I currently have one on my bike that is now 5 years old I road 27000 miles on it and due to the tires year of manufacturing I am having it replace with a new ME 888. I hope this one won't chop or tread split.
Don't you miss turnability?
Its amazing how far Ryan F9's presentation has come. Its almost painful to watch after watching the incredible quality of these days.
I had the Dunlop 404 on my Scout and I got 21k miles on my rear tire. Honestly I don’t recommend going that far as it was pretty bald in the middle. I just put on two Commander 2 so far they have performed very good. Like he said in the video a Dunlop on light weight cruisers will last a good while. Probably around 15k miles.
Love the Cobra, did great on my Stratoliner. Second rear delaminated after 1100 miles.
Now have Commander IIs, never going back.
Commander 2!!! Best tire in the world. I have over 25,000 on the back of a BMW K1200LT. Amazing. Smooth and grippy. I'll never try anything else. It's perfect. I wish they made it in a size for my front wheel.
I have a 2011 Road King Classic and I run the Cobra AV white walls, totally transforms the bike compared to the standard Dunlops, the bike actually corners, doesn't tramline and with the softer sidewalls, it even rides a little better. Got 16,000 kilometres out of my Dunlop rear and 22,000 out of my steer tyre, will be interesting to see how the Avon's do.
I found your channel tonight and I really like your reviews. You seem to put a lot of thought into them and sound like you have a lot of knowledge. You also verified my own research and the ME888. I watched a few of your other reviews on helmets as well. Keep up the great work and thanks.
+Paul Douglas Oh yea..I have a Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad. Big heavy bike that I think the 888 will work nicely on.
Excellent! I am glad to hear it. My tire went soft over the winter so I was looking into my options. So far my current tires are looking good. But once they wear down I will be replacing with the 888s.
I just put Cobras on my Victory Hammer and I love them! They feel so much better than the marathon ultras it had on it before. (Although I'm not sure how much of that is just going from old tires to new tires, regardless of the type and also going from a rear tire that's a size too wide to one that's the stock size.)
Commander II on the rear ... slightest hint of squaring at 15k miles, which is about 5k better than I used to get with Exedra Max ...
But it's already squaer Brand new 😂
FYI, when the D404 get to it's half life be careful while passing on two lane because the center yellow lines you will loose traction "wheel spin". Boulevard C90.
Thank you so much for that!! I bought my first cruiser (intruder vs800) with the d404 on it and thought my suspension was set up terribly or something.
@@claytonatkinson865 Your welcome. You have a Light cruiser, I know Kenda Cruz I have on front great tire. Always predictable. Back using Goodyear Triple Tread, car tire. Don't use Bridgestones because of dual compound of the front will become spongy and unpredictable when pushed. I used Kenda Changller on Virago and not great when temp below 10c, traction loss. Had a mechanic friend swear by Mitzler. For me I would try Kenda Cruz front and back. Say safe and you have a great bike.
I had cobras on my Victory Hammer. They are BAD ASS
Im a Michelin fan but ever own commanders again. I ride for a living, and had them put on bike. Could not get them off fast enough. I use Avon cobras now and am very happy. 5-6k then they are trash, but that is very very hard riding.
The dunlops crack follows grooves. I laid my first Harley down on a passing road when a driver went into my lane and didn’t see me. I went on the centerline to avoid being hit and the tire hugged the groove in the center of the road like a rail car. I lowsided and totaled my bike when I attempted to get off the track. I know Low experience and an idiot that didn’t see me was a factor. But the tread was the straw that broke my Dyna.
I hate interstate rides on my intruder vs800 for that very reason, I was wondering if it was the bike or the tire seeing how it had the 404 on when I got it but now I think I know.
Commander II for me on my HD Limited. I'm at 20k miles on the rear and it's still going.
@Cycle Rider
Dam..I got 7500 miles out my last tire..I should have looked here b4 I ordered my Bridgestone! Fugg
Would be nice to see an update with the New Metzeler Cruistec and Avon Cobra Chrome.
I agree any thought?
I'm torn between the two. What do u think ?
My Honda Rebel 500 came with Dunlop 404's on it. I hated those tyres, unpredictable in the dry and terrible in the wet, plus they wore out after 4,100 miles. I installed commander 2's and have 2,000 miles on them, they are great in the dry, decent in the wet and the rear has worn by about 0.25mm in 2,000 miles, and the front wear is not measurable at all.
Good reviews. I got a 2003 mean streak and trying to decide between the Commander II and the Avon Cobras. Anyways, informative review. GJ
+Seth D Sweet bike! I would personally take the Commander IIs on that ride, but you can't go wrong either way. Cheers ~RyanF9
I run Commander II 's on my 06 Dyna, it was a noticeable improvement over stock especially in the twisties. Just my 2 cents.
I got them ordered up. We'll have to see how they compare with the Avon Storm set I am running.
Seth D I had a Storm on the rear before this set and I burned it off in one season, wasn't happy with them at all. Too soft. I have about 4000km on the commander's and almost no sign of wear yet.
COmmander 2s are the only tire brand that slipped out from under me in a turn on a wet road. Never own them again.
I fully agree with your opinion on the Michelin. I switched to the Commander from the factory Dunlop on my FatBoy and it was a great move. You said nothing about the Dunlop American Elite though. Any opinion on these tires, especially taking into account they are probably the only double compound cruiser tire and also come in whitewall for all those classic bike owners?
I like the American Elites. In my opinion the new Dunlop Elite 4 is a superior tire (grip, longevity) and also uses a double compound design. But yeah, it doesn't come in whitewall and some HD sizes, so it won't be an option for everybody! ~RyanF9
i have a 2000 kawasaki vn1500 fi vulcan nomad and i run the dunlop 404 as i've found them to be a great all round tyre. I ride a lot, in all kinds of conditions such as cyclonic conds, high temps, winter, plus on all surfaces and these tyres have been extremely good handling and they last a long time...front gets about 23,000km and the rear around 16 to 18,000km...oh and i ride solo as well as 2 up and also heavily loaded and unloaded
Getting great wear out of Commander2's on my Kawasaki Voyager.
was the tyre good on wet weather?
@@sphiwemashaba2661 doubtful
I ran a Commander ll on a Royal Star Tour Deluxe ( 850lbs ) and never had a problem in the rain. I ride easy on wet roads though.
i love my avon tires. they really handle water well. here in Ohio that can happen even if the sky is clear.
Excellent commentary
I actually get better mileage out of night dragons than I did out of commander II's. And the grip is FAR better! The commander II's are only good for pounding miles in a straight line, but they're actually too hard and wear quick of you take off quick and ride hard. I've got a 2014 street bob and scrape pegs...
I kill the commander’s pretty fast on my bagger, was considering the night dragons, since if I’m gonna go through two rear tires a season I’d at least like to get a little grip.
Great review. Exactly what I was looking for. Learned a thing or two
This dude must not ride in the rain. Commando II are the scariest tire to have when raining .
I have a triumph bobber 2017. Tyres need a change. Looking to availability of tyres in India. Mischellin scorcher 31 or Metzellar ME880 whitewall. I am looking more stability, road grip and aggression. Suggest.....
Only issue with the commander is that when I worked at a Harley dealer almost everyone that came in the tires were cupped and needed replaced, new they handle good and feel nice…. Haven’t personally seen one get over 8k
Rear tire. mine are cupped too
Dunlop 401T, or Dunlop American Elite for Harley touring, NOT the D404. My "Damn good reason for choosing them over the Michelin commander II" is that these are the tires used by all of the Police motorcycle enforcement officers. They last longer on the heavier bikes, and handle much better when going through the more aggressive low speed manuevers, and the high speed obstacle avoidance courses. Ask anyone who competes or patrols, these are the tires they will very likely be running. Dunlop worked with Dunlop for years to get the big touring bike tires right. Nothing wrong with the Commander II, they just don't handle as well in the rain on these big bikes as the Dunlops which were purpose built for the large tourers.
If you have a "light weight" Harley such as a Dyna, Softail, or Sportster I honestly would stick with Harley's Scorcher series of tires. They are in fact Michelin tires. They have a deeper tread for added longevity, and Michelin worked on this tires design with Harley for years to get it right on these lighter bikes. Again the Commander II is still not a bad option.
The Pirelli Night dragons are by far the worst tire I have ever personally used. I had them on a 2007 Vulcan VN900C for about 5k miles before I finally called it quits with them. They had traction issues on dry pavement, let alone wet, and were almost completely worn out after 5k miles. I am NOT an aggressive driver, I don't do burnouts either. The tires just suck.
Mixed reviews on Commander 2’s. I was thinking about going to that tire but I’m more confused now than before the video. Need to do more research.
I'll stick with the 880 Metzlers on my GL1500 Goldwing!
Even the ones made in Bazil!
I enjoy the 12-18K Tire life!
Hello Ryan, I have a 2008 Dyna CVO with the 124 Race engine installed. I don't ride often (less than 8000 miles on a 8 year old bike) but when I do I ride really hard and fast. Lots of long pulls through the mountains of Montana, Idaho and Washington at 80 90 sometimes 100mph. I don't care about milage, I want the best handing grippiest tires I can get. The bike has the stock Dunlops and they still ok but I don't trust them due to age. The front is getting some small cracks.
Michelin???? I have had a few sets of Avon's on my CVO Ultra and they make the bike handle remarkably better than the HD Dunlops.
Thanks Cam
Run ME888'S on my'15 Speedmaster -got great wear!
Have a 2008 1200 Nightster it's my wife's bike but I do ride it need something with longevity to put lots of miles on we live in Florida but we also hit the mountains a lot so can't skimp on the cornering
any suggestions
Also safety is a must again it's my wife's bike don't want her getting hurt over tires
Ryan, thanks for doing a tire review for large cruisers although I know you’re probably not a big fan of my HD Electra Ultra LOL
This is exactly what I was looking for, I just ordered my two commanders from FortNine. I am on my second set of Avon Cobra and I absolutely love the way they handle but I will try something else since I’ve had rubber splitting issues from the thread and sidewalls. PS I like your Canadian map in the background 👍🏻
I replaced 404s on a Vulcan with Metz 880s. The 880s were a much better tyre for handling and did seem to wear better.
shegocrazy / i luv metzler 880s too, they are wonderful...
I have the Metzler on my softail heritage. I’m absolutely terrified to corner or ride on a wet road with them. It even slides, sometimes downshifting.
I have the Dunlops on my sportster. I can drag the pegs while cornering, and not be scared about losing grip at all. I’ve rode that sportster in like 6 inches of water, massive thunderstorms, with zero slip of grip at all. Those Dunlops grab the road like a bear claw. I’m actually watching videos right now because I want to know what to put on my heritage. I’m looking for some good reviews.
Really?! I've read very good reviews about the 888s on the wet! 😮
Enjoyed your video what true would you recommend for a Suzuki vl 800 cruiser many thanks Steve
The D404 I had put on my 1983 Honda Shadow vt500c. This bike is shy of 500lbs (225kg) and I drive it extremely hard and fast. The tires are phenomenal, and spectacular in the rain. HOWEVER; I need to say that mileage is terrible. I want to say perhaps 5,000 miles (8 km) was the lifespan through two sets of tires. The rears wore out fast, wearing down quickly in the middle of the tire, making flicking the bike dangerous later in the tire life. They are great tires, however, you will burn them up fast. Perhaps the front not as quickly, but similar to the rear.
I live in Ireland, and ride a Kawasaki Vulcan 900. I was looking into the Commander II and almost went for it based on the mileage, but after a bit of research, I heard that it wasn't all that great in wet weather. Now, I live in Ireland. It's not particularly dry here, so I didn't want to take the chance. The tire I had previously was a Avon Venom, and it was great in all conditions, and I heard the Cobra was just as good, so I went with it (also because my Venom was a 200, whereas Michelin only did a 180) and the tire just sticks to the road like glue
So how is the Avon, how is the grip and how does the mileage look? I am in a decision myself, we have a lot of rain where I live.
cooper1101 the grip is very good, haven't felt it slip yet. Mileage seems good too, I've put at least 2500-3000 miles on it and it still looks fresh. Wet weather, haven't had it out in severe wet weather, but on days where it has rained earlier, or where I'm caught in a small downpour, it's did very well
Thank you for the answer. Ride safe!
I had commander II on my vulcan 900. I did drive in ringa at twist toads as well as highways, never had a problem or felt unsecure. I higly recommend them.
🙂
Commander II are brilliant if you only ride in dry weather. However, worst wet weather tire I have ever ridden. I have had a set for 18 months on my virago xv1100 and have done 15,000 KMs of commuting in peak hour traffic and they still look new... good at both low and high speeds and i expect i will get these up to 40,000 KM no problem. In the wet be prepared to slip and slid everywhere as they will break traction the moment you put any pressure on them....a tire that gives you absurd mileage like this one is never going to have the soft rubber compound to keep you gripped to the road in the wet. If you're a committed fair weather rider highly recommend. If you want an all weather tire stay away.
I got 11k miles out of my rear 888, mostly highway miles but aggressive full throttle riding 25% of the time. I probably could have gotten more miles out of it if I rode more conservatively but these tires do last long.
What would you get for a 2008 V Rod, I don't care about treadwear, I just wanted to be extra sticky and to turn into the corners a little better than the stock tires. My bike has a 240 on the rear end and a 130 on the front.
Michelin Commander vs Dunlop American Elite for Yamaha Roadliner..??? Which one is better.???
The Commanders are the better tire. But what sizes are you running? Sometimes the only way to throw Commanders onto a bike is to mate a bias front with a radial rear, and I definitely wouldn't recommend doing that. ~RyanF9
I have a KZ440 sort of cafe styled. The Dunlop D404 sounds good for me, what should I use for a front tire?
I like your reviews. When are you planning on reviewing L.E.D. lighting?
I’d like to see a newer cruiser tire review, the Bridgestone Battlecruise, the Avon Cobra Chrome, the Michelin Scorcher II (not that new but not reviewed here)
avon dry rot fast
I own a victory vision. They recommend dunlop elite 4. What would you put on it. I bought it with a car tire on it.
I'd stick with the E4s. Normally I'm partial to the Michelin Commander IIs but people have noticed that they're a bit unstable on the Vision, for whatever reason. ~RyanF9
Thanks for the reply. Tires are so contriversal.
ME888 missed its mark? It was designed for Harleys and everything you described about the tire is good when riding a big bike like they are.
I have used the old Avon venom and the cobra and they work great and handle brilliantly on small to heavy cruisers.I do however think you've missed a really great tire from this and that's the continental tyre range .
hey ryan , i ride a new triumph speedmaster with stock metzelers marathons, in belgium most of the time we have wet roads, the mettz realy dont make me feel confident ,verry slippery.(two times face on the ground) what is your best suggestion to chang them to? thanks guy
Hello! Yeah, a lot of people notice the Metzelers are too hard. Makes them feel "plasticky" on wet pavement. I'd probably choose the Michelin Commander II or Avon Cobra. Both tires are equally good on wet pavement, in my opinion. The Cobra has slightly better dry grip and the Commander lasts longer. Up to you. ~RyanF9
Thanks for the quick reply , commanders or avons,looked it up and indeed most speedy drivers feel confident. I will choose grip every time before mileage. I only got one life ;)
I love the me888 on my Yamaha warrior 1700. It hooks really well in corners. My ONLY complaint with them is. How they hold heat, they dont very well. They take time to heat up and dont hold it very well. But if you can deal with the heat issue. THey are fantastic.
How were they on the rain, if you don't mind?
@@WatanabeNoTsuna. They were fine in the rain, I wouldnt push them as hard as you can the m7rr/m9rr versions. But they are fine as long as you can keep heat in them. Which is harder to do when its raining.
@@CrypticApathy Thank you for your input! 💪 😉
Great review. Ive got a 2008 HD Rocker C with worn out Dunlop D407. The Commander sounds best but im not worried about tire life and just want the best performing tyre as my other bikes a VFR1200. Should I go for the Avon AV72
Actually just noticed they do not do a 90 x 90 x19 front only a 100 x 90 . Would that be OK to fit ?
Personally, I wouldn't do it. The tire would probably run fine but it's bound to throw off the dynamics a little. ~RyanF9
I have a 2013 C90T BOSS and was told Metzeler 880 was the best tire. It's a 200/60 16 R 79H and I got 4,000 miles on it and it's done. What do you think I should go with?
I was think about getting a 2018 Fat Bob, changing out the tires would be the first thing I would do. What do you recommend...? I'm not a canyon carving but I do like my on & off ramps & wide open straight a ways here in the north east of the US. Thanks great review
So I went ahead & pulled the trigger bought the 2018 FATBOB need you opinion thanks again
Well I have ordered the Avon Cobra AV72 for the rear of my ‘13 Fat Bob. The stock Dunlop’s were good but did slip and track on some of these shit Aussie roads - highways 😲. In the wet they were surprisingly good (or should I say better than expected) considering what I had read about them.
Tyres are so important- car, 4WD or bike so I take a long time to choose.
I trust the Cobra is going to stick in dry or wet as I have read heaps that rate them for a Fat Bob.
I went with the same dimensions as the stock Dunlop’s (was close to going from 180 to 200 tho).
Will post how they perform....next week fingers crossed.
samuraidarryl looking into buying the Cobras. Any insight with an update on how the tires perform, especially in wet weather and mileage and how they ride in general?
Gr8 Vid Fort9! Have you done any homework on the Michelin Scorcher 11, 31 ad 32 tires? Looking for some performance and tread life info on them espesially living in Canada it gets a bit cold here and have heard they are no good in cold temps and or cold pavement. Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated. Cheers
A damn good reason not to get Michelin Commander 2? They don't make White Walls for the HD FLHRC A tire you didn't mention is the Dunlop American Elite which is even higher mileage than the D402, which is already easily capable of 20 - 30K.
Great stuff.
I have a Harley dyna and I have the original Dunlop D401 harley branded tires they come with and the tire wore out on the center quite fast. I have less than 5,000 miles on it and the center is already worn.
Any other choice that you may suggest?
It's almost time for tires for my CTX1300. I'm curious what the change is with the new Avon Cobra Chrome. I'm in Florida so I ride all year long. I like the Michelins but they don't come in the proper size for my bike.
Do you think the dunlop would be best for a sporster?
Your awesome at reviews!
What's your opinion on the Kenda K673 Kruz?? I know it's not in your top list but just wondering your opinion?? Thanks for the video!
hey any feedback about the new bridgstone battle cruise? I have a fat boy and have not been impressed with the wear of performance of the factory dunlops.
I should have added I have a fatboy low 200mil rear.
I purchased a 2013 Honda shadow phantom and I’m looking into the commander 2 or the Bridgestone exedra max or the Shinko 777. Which one would you recommend?
I have been using Dunlap tires since about 1992 on my Harley's with no issues they been great. I just bought a set of Shinko tires because I am retired and money isn't what it use to be and I am a cheap bastard. I wasn't worried until I took them to Harley to be mounted and they almost refused to do it. Now i am worried but I don't go far or fast these days and my wife don't ride with me anymore. I guess I will see.
Soooo night dragon on the street bob? Or nah?
have nightdragons on my bike. they stick like glue very confident with them
hi like ur videos , ive been looking at the dark side & plan to give it a go . Ive got a 07 nite rod special 1250cc , & i have just brought a 245/40/18 nankang semi slick ns - 2r sport nex street car tyre ,so once my tyre has worne a bit more on it goes , what do u think ?
Best overall for a yamie v star 1100?
Commander 2 or D404's ?
In India there's a brand called MRF. My MRF 140/70R17 section tyres ran 33k km on my bike.
Hi Ryan Great informational video. What would you recommend for a 2007 Softail Deuce? I use it mainly long highway riding. I currently have a set of Shinko about 4 months old/ Took a ride from ABQ to Modesto on to Santa Cruz and back. They performed well on the trip Heading out to Houston from ABQ in November. RL
Hey man like the video! I have a 2015 dyna FXDWG and i have night dragons on it now but they only lasted me about 5 thousand miles and I’m replacing them now. I’m thinking about going with the 888 but I ride hard so what is ur opinion? Do I think the 888 hold well in the turns or are they just Not sticky enough? Night Dragons or 888?? Any help is much appreciated
Really good and informative summary. I've got Cobras on my Thunderbird and notice a minor front end shimmy at low speeds. Could it be caused by the pronounced left/right groove pattern on the tyres? Other than that the tyre handles really well and (as you say) looks great.
What would you recommend for a 2018 scout bobber??? I love to drag pegs in the twists.
great job.
Hey buddy just found your channel and enjoying your vids. I just got my first road bike. 86 Honda Magna v65 vf1100c. Trying to research which tire will suit it best since it's a very quick bike but is a cruiser. Regarding this vid would the Avon be the best choice? I'm not a super aggressive rider but with my Endo racing background, I know how to haul ass if I want.
Hey buddy! Yep, I'd go with Avons if you're planning to haul ass on that Magna. Congrats on getting into road riding by the way... you'll have a big head start with all that off-road experience. ~RF9
Thanks for the quick response! Looks like my size isn't there or at least I can't find it. F 110/90/18 R 140-80-16. If it's not available, what would be your second choice for this bike? Thanks again
I've got D404 on an '83 V65 Magna and they are great. lots of grip wet or dry!